The Proposed new zone ordinance was collaboratively developed by the Los Angeles City Planning Department to set new standards for new development and construction projects in the Arts District. Currently the Arts District is zoned to allow industrial and heavy manufacturing uses, and limiting live/work units to the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. The goal of this ordinance is to continue to allow the revitalization of the Arts District, but develops the necessary standards that guide design and community integration of new projects. In addition, adopting such an ordinance benefits the zone by setting the tone for future land use developments, while the downtown community plan and recode L.A. project is being updated.

The LW Ordinance will create an important pilot program that will introduce a limited number of new live/work units in the Arts District that are compatible with the community as it exists today.   This policy initiative will replace the now outdated Industrial Land Use Policy and gives the City the ability to implement key concepts that can be incorporated into the future Community Plan Update.